Broad Coalition of Religious, Ethnic, Civil Rights Organizations Warns FBI Hate Crimes Data Does Not Tell the Full Story

NEW YORK, October 13, 2026 — A broad coalition of organizations representing religious, racial, ethnic, immigrant, and other communities targeted by hate is warning that recently released FBI hate crime data does not accurately capture the full scope of threats facing communities across the country.

In a joint statement released today during Hate Crimes Awareness Month and coinciding with the anniversaries of several devastating acts of hate and violence, the organizations urge policymakers to look beyond reported numbers and address the conditions that continue to put communities at risk. The statement was organized by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) and Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), and co-sponsored by UnidosUS, the National Urban League, the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), the Sikh Coalition, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). In all, 35 organizations co-signed the statement.

As they write in the joint statement:

“In August, the FBI released its 2025 Hate Crimes statistics, which showed a decrease in the overall number of reported hate crimes. A decline from an historic peak, however, is not synonymous with safety. Instead of settling into complacency or believing the work is done, we, as organizations representing a range of religious, ethnic, and other vulnerable communities, are warning that the data released by the FBI is incomplete and fails to capture the real risks to our communities.

“While any reported decrease in threats is welcome, these numbers remain historically high, especially compared to pre-pandemic totals. And, because of a number of deliberate policy choices being made by the current administration—particularly the increase in aggressive immigration enforcement, dramatic funding cuts, and continued extremist rhetoric— we are concerned that the reporting is becoming less reliable even as threats are increasing.”

The groups point to three central concerns: 1) hate crime data remains incomplete; 2) some communities continue to experience rising threats; and 3) federal resources and programs designed to prevent and respond to hate are being reduced or redirected. Together, these trends make it harder to know whether reported declines reflect a genuine decrease in hate crimes — or a growing inability to identify and respond to them.

“We’ve long known that the FBI’s hate crimes data is woefully insufficient in capturing the reality of hate and extremism facing our communities — and now, as so many of us face rising threats, the federal government is cutting the very programs meant to keep us safe while advancing policies that undermine reporting and trust in law enforcement,” said Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), which co-led the the statement. “We cannot mistake lower reported numbers for progress when communities continue to face threats and the resources needed to address them are being undermined. This broad coalition has come together to warn against complacency and to demand action to keep our communities safe.”

Thousands of law enforcement agencies did not report hate crime statistics to the FBI, while additional incidents may go unreported because victims are afraid to come forward or law enforcement does not classify or submit incidents as hate crimes. The organizations are particularly concerned that aggressive immigration enforcement is further eroding trust in law enforcement, making some people afraid to report crimes for fear of retaliation, deportation, or other consequences.

The statement also warns that political leaders and others have normalized conspiracy theories and hateful rhetoric once relegated to the fringes, putting all communities at risk.

“For Asian Americans, anti-immigrant rhetoric reinforces a harmful message that we are perpetual outsiders, regardless of how long we’ve been part of this country. But this issue extends far beyond any one community. The significance of this coalition is that organizations representing diverse communities are hearing the same concern: many people feel that the federal government is retreating from its responsibility to protect communities targeted by hate,” said Sim Singh Attariwala, Senior Director of AAJC’s Anti-Hate Program. “When the systems designed to prevent violence, enforce civil rights, and support victims are weakened, every community becomes more vulnerable.”

The organizations are calling on policymakers to restore funding for hate crime prevention and response programs, strengthen data collection and reporting, and ensure equitable access to security funding for vulnerable communities. Its recommendations also include ending immigration enforcement practices that undermine trust in law enforcement, investing in community-based prevention and conflict resolution, and confronting dehumanizing rhetoric, conspiracy theories, and online hate speech.

Spitalnick added: “When one community is targeted by hate, all of us are at risk. We have a responsibility to stand together, speak out against hate in all its forms, and ensure every community can live with dignity and safety.” 

The coalition emphasizes that addressing hate requires more than tracking reported incidents. It requires rebuilding trust, supporting vulnerable communities, and sustaining the resources and partnerships needed to prevent violence and respond when it occurs.

Read the full statement and list of signatories HERE.

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About JCPA: The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) convenes and mobilizes partners and coalitions across communities to counter antisemitism and broader hate and extremism, protect democracy, and advance our shared values — recognizing that Jewish safety and inclusive democracy are inextricably linked. JCPA envisions a just and inclusive American democracy in which Jewish and all communities thrive in safety, dignity, and freedom.

About Asian Americans Advancing Justice: AAJC has a mission to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.

About The Human Rights Campaign: The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people, with 4 million members and supporters. The HRC Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) works to ensure LGBTQ+ people are safe, seen and supported where it matters most: at school, at work and in every community across the country. From the courtroom to the classroom, from Congress to corporate America, HRC and the HRC Foundation build power through partnerships, storytelling, and action—working to create a future rooted in equity, freedom and belonging for all LGBTQ+ people.

About MPAC: Founded in 1988, the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) is a national public affairs nonprofit working to promote and strengthen American pluralism by increasing understanding and improving policies that impact American Muslims. Over the past 38 years, MPAC has built a reputation of being a dynamic and trusted American Muslim voice for policymakers, opinion shapers, and community organizers across the country.

About The National Urban League: The National Urban League is a historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization with 90 affiliates serving 300 communities, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more than two million people nationwide.

About The Sikh Coalition: The Sikh Coalition is the largest Sikh civil rights organization in the United States. Through the community, courtrooms, classrooms, and halls of Congress, they have worked for 25 years to work to protect the constitutional right of Sikhs and others to practice their faith without fear.

About UnidosUS: UnidosUS is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that serves as the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Since 1968, we have built a stronger America by creating opportunities for Latinos and breaking down barriers to expand economic and social progress for all. UnidosUS partners with an Affiliate Network of nearly 300 community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico. For more information on UnidosUS, visit www.unidosus.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and Threads.